Fourmolu vs Ormolu
Fourmolu
fourmolu.github.ioOrmolu
github.comSide by side
| Figure | Fourmolu | Ormolu |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Code Formatting Tools | 8.3 (#4) | 7.8 (#14) |
| CI integration | The README recommends the run-fourmolu GitHub Action for keeping a project formatted. | The project recommends the run-ormolu GitHub Action to keep a project formatted. |
| Installation | The project documents installation through GHCup, Cabal, Stack, and dotslash. | The release page provides binaries for Linux, macOS, and Windows, and the project can also be installed with cabal or stack. |
| Limitations | The README describes CPP support as experimental and says it works only in simple cases where CPP conditionals surround top-level declarations. | CPP support is experimental and works only in simple cases where CPP conditionals surround top-level declarations. |
| Purpose | Fourmolu formats Haskell source code and is a configurable fork of Ormolu. | Ormolu is a formatter for Haskell source code. |
Plans
In their own words
Fourmolu
Fourmolu is a configurable formatter for Haskell source code and a fork of Ormolu. It uses GHC’s parser and aims to keep diffs small, produce idempotent output, and handle large projects. Set formatting options in `fourmolu.yaml` or pass them on the command line. Controls include indentation, line length, import grouping, record layout, Haddock comments, Unicode output, and operator fixities. Fourmolu can find the relevant Cabal file to read default extensions and dependencies that help determine fixities. Magic comments can disable formatting for selected code, and command-line options can target a line region. There is an interactive browser demo with configurable formatting and program options. Installation instructions cover GHCup, Cabal, Stack, and dotslash; editor integration is documented through Haskell Language Server. The project recommends a GitHub Action to keep projects formatted. Its listed current release is v0.21.0.0. CPP handling is experimental and limited to simple cases where conditionals surround top-level declarations. Output always uses LF line endings, which can cause check mode to fail on CRLF files.
Ormolu
Ormolu is a formatter for Haskell source code. It uses GHC’s parser and applies one consistent style, with the aim of keeping diffs small. That style cannot be configured, and the project aims to leave code unchanged when it is formatted again after already meeting the style. Release binaries are available for Linux, macOS, and Windows; installation through cabal or stack is also supported. Ormolu Live provides a browser version. Listed editor integrations cover Emacs, VS Code, and Vim through neoformat or vim-ormolu, and Haskell Language Server has built-in support for Ormolu. For continuous integration, the project recommends the run-ormolu GitHub Action. It reads default language extensions and dependencies from a matching Cabal file;.ormolu files can specify fixity overrides and module re-export instructions. CPP support remains experimental and works only in simple cases where conditionals surround top-level declarations. Ormolu is open source and free, with a listed plan price of free.